A social media user has described Airtel as “the best” amid growing frustration over MTN Nigeria‘s continued delay in restoring its XtraTime airtime advance service, despite regulatory developments that have already seen rival operators resume similar offerings.

The reaction was captured under a Guardian Nigeria Facebook post titled “MTN subscribers wait longer for Airtime Advance Service,” where one user, identified as Frank Rock, simply wrote: “Airtel best.”

Another commenter, IB Bernard, claimed he had already obtained a ₦5,000 airtime loan from Airtel, while others suggested they had moved on from waiting for MTN’s service to return.

The comments reflect the growing attention on MTN, which remains the only major operator yet to fully restore its airtime advance platform after the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) suspended the enforcement of its Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending (DEON) Regulations 2025 following a Federal High Court order.

The suspension has already prompted Airtel and Globacom to restore airtime credit services that were halted earlier this year following regulatory directives.

Industry body ALTON has expressed confidence that all operators will eventually return the service, noting that about 40 million Nigerians rely on airtime and data credit products, particularly low-income and prepaid subscribers.

However, MTN says it is still seeking additional legal clarity before resuming XtraTime. According to the company’s Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, Tobechukwu Okigbo, MTN requires either a court ruling setting aside the regulations or a clear directive authorising the reinstatement of the service.

With Airtel and Globacom already back in the market, subscriber reactions on social media suggest patience may be wearing thin among some MTN customers still waiting for the return of XtraTime.